CHESS London '88

[@AmarAlamdar]

The opening act ,,,, is beyond stunning,,,,, I can’t forget how the statues looked me costumes started to move in a ballet dance sequence of brilliance. What a chilling experience.

[@miheco]

Attended the Prince Edward, back in 1988, it was warm that evening and uncomfortable for all. But once Chess started all was forgotten. I was there working as an expat for a couple of years. One Night in Bangkok was already a hit single back in the states. Thanks for posting.

[@johnk3831]

This was a gorgeous show Especially with Elaine paige

[@rjwalker1726]

This is the production I saw :D

[@tessonstage]

Me too :)

[@loris8645]

LOOOOVE the revolving chess board and how it was used! Wish there were more chemistry and intrigue with Florence and Anatoly...a build up to their attraction...more cat and mouse kind of...she has a beautiful voice very reminiscent of Elaine Page, but she seemed completely disconnected and uninterested, and that awful coat! I know it was the 80's (and I had a coat juuuust like that), but there were much more flattering coats they could have put her in than that shapeless sack....would adore to see more from this production. Thank you so very much for this!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

She does indeed sound like Elaine, but of course no one matches Ms. Paige. If I'm not mistaken, Elaine wore the same coat.

[@jkittymeow]

this is incredibly rare and in immaculate quality, if you have any more clips, please share!

[@williamneale7238]

Very good quality! Nice to see how the chessboard rotated into a mountain!

[@christopherbush9027]

This is great to see-I’ve long been a fan of the concept recording of the show. It’s a shame no one has ever been able to get this show right. It’s not for a lack of trying-there’s at least four or five truly distinctive versions out there that have been preserved on disc. Thanks Spiderwoman

[@daveross3642]

That stage entranced 8 year old me. Take that, Hamilton staging circa 2018! :-)

[@emerys2010]

After seeing this, surely there’s more footage of this show, right?

[@KenDanieli]

I saw this in London, August 86. It was spectacular. It would be great to see more.

[@JF-sh2sm]

What a rarity! Please can you post more Chess bootlegs?

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

LOVE David! Seen him in quite a few shows. A great actor with a fine singing voice. He was the best Pilate ive ever seen in JCS at the Lyceum. Never knew that Anthony had taken over as Freddie in Chess, and the girl sounds very similiar to Elaine as Florence, which i'm guessing is why she was cast in the role. Love Chess, not the best of shows, but a most memorable and emotive score.

[@anatoleishot]

I saw him as Pilate as well! He was indeed one of the best I've seen.

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

@@anatoleishot at the lyceum? he was fantastic as Pilate. I also saw him in Boy George's musical TABOO.

[@Angel_Donoghue]

Baby Anthony head ❤️❤️

[@peterwilliams1912]

Fabulous recording ,thanks for posting .Do you have any more of this my friend played Florence with this cast I’d love to see it. I watched the show almost weekly

[@foreignparticle1320]

Great clip! I'm really interested in how the original London version was staged. This is a little gold nugget... thanks for posting!

[@jscho8674]

Oh wow! Love you Aurora!

[@RafaelNogueiraMC]

Thank you so much for this. Do you happen to have more clips of this bootleg?

[@franklinshepard]

I say this as someone who loves Anthony Head in Buffy and Repo, but it's clear he doesn't have the higher range for Freddie. Interesting that apparently the creatives didn't mind letting him take lower options and transposing Pity the Child down.

[@hefinrosser8685]

This is so amazing to see! Thank you so much for posting xx who's playing Florence here? Xx

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Grainne Renihan

[@douglasduff4466]

She's not a patch on Elaine.

[@darrenlumby7091]

Wow I never realised how bad the staging was!!

[@MaconLeary]

In person it was breathtaking. That moving, rotating, inclining, illuminated chessboard was riveting.

[@scottishphotographer]

It worked really well... originally. The 'Mountain Duet' scene opened inside an Alpine tavern filled with people which travelled back as the chessboard stage revolved, illuminated and rose up. We were left watching Anatoly and Florence outside the tavern on what looked like a snowy mountain (beyond the background 'grid' is a scenic cloth of mountains not visible from the high cameras angle). The trouble was, the Tavern truck was heavy and only locked in place at two points. The hydraulic stage is at a *very* steep angle (not really apparent here) and some months into the run the truck was axed for safety reasons.

[@Rex-gu1bu]

They have the idea, but the tacky Euro style of presentation, Jeez. Otherwise, I find this very interesting.